The Panasonic revs up the enthusiast premium compact fixed-lens camera category with the new LUMIX DMC-LX100, which incorporates a large high sensitivity Four Thirds sensor to enable shooting at high ISO with minimum noise, a built-in Live View Finder with a 2764K-dot equivalent high resolution, dedicated control dials for intuitive manual operation, a redesigned bright F1.7-2.8 LEICA 3.1x optical zoom lens and 4K video capability — a combination of high-end features not currently available in other premium compact fixed-lens cameras.

In design, the LX100 reaches back to the Panasonic LC1. It is beautiful in either the all-black or silver version, and looks really elegant with not one unwarranted line, bump or color. It thankfully features a dedicated Shutter Speed Dial, Aperture Ring and Exposure Exposure Compensation Dial.

The LX100 competes with other similar cameras with a large sensor. The LX7, which it replaces, had a small 1/1.7-in. sensor; the LX100 uses a large Four Thirds sensor which is about 5x bigger than the 1/1.7-in. sensor and 2x than the 1-in. sensor used in most of the other cameras it competes with.

Panasonic has upped the ante with 4K video recording capability. The LX100 also introduces a new way of photo creation called “4K Photo”. By grabbing a 3840×2160 8-megapixel equivalent image from the 4K video footage, it basically allows you to snap 8M stills at 30fps. Or, shoot 11 fps in full 12.8M resolution using High speed burst shooting. Need to freeze action? Maximum shutter speed is 1/4,000 sec. (mechanical) and 1/16,000 sec. (electronic).

The LCD is 3.0-in. with 921k-dot resolution. It is not touch panel (hence no touch AF) and does not tilt.

The LX100 comes with a newly developed LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX 24-75mm (equivalent) 3.1x optical zoom lens with a fast F1.7-F2.8 maximum aperture. It features a 9-blade aperture diaphragm and, from images we have seen on many reviews, it produces beautiful and smooth bokeh. The lens features built-in optical image stabilization. The lens is not interchangeable.

The LX100 can develop RAW images into JPEG in-camera. A compact external flash is bundled.

Though the LX100 mainly targets the enthusiast crowd, those upgrading from a point-and-shoot will take comfort in the iA (Intelligent AUTO) button that allows the LX100 to take control of all the settings while you learn and grow in the craft. Of course, PASM modes are intuitive using the Shutter Speed dial and Aperture Ring.

If you are looking for a fixed-lens compact camera that gives great image quality as well as enjoyable operation with its dedicated manual control dials, check out the Panasonic LX100 with its impressive combination of a bright lens and a large high sensitivity sensor — and find out why reviewers are raving about it.

Successor to the GX1. After watching other competitors claim the throne to the compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, Panasonic has finally decided to make a claim itself with the Lumix DMC-GX7. From a new image sensor that promises higher resolution and higher sensitivity to a tiltable high resolution EVF, the GX7 seems to tick off all the wants of the enthusiast photographers.

Inside the magnesium alloy full diecast frame, there is a new 16MP Digital Live MOS Sensor which, paired with the Venus Engine’s advanced noise reduction, achieves max. ISO25600. The built-in EVF (Panasonic calls it the LVF – Live Viewfinder) features a high 2764K-dot equiv. resolution. It is also tiltable by 90° upward. (An optional Eyecup DMW-EC1 is avauilable for a more comfortable fit for both the naked eye and glasses.)

A new for Panasonic is the in-camera Sensor-shift Image Stabilization that will now allow lenses without optical I.S. to gain an image stabilization advantage. When an optically image stabilized lens is mounted, the sensor-shift IS is disabled.

Movie recording is full HD 1920 x 1080, 60p (60 Hz) / 50p (50 Hz) for smooth, high quality video recording in AVCHD Progressive and MP4 with stereo sound. Full-time Tracking AF is available in video recording. You can manually set aperture and shutter speed by using PASM modes during video recording.

Burst shooting is at 5 fps at full in 16MP resolution (4.3 fps when AF Tracking enabled). Use the electronic shutter and a max. 40 fps is achieved. Maximum shutter speed is 1/8000 sec.

The LCD is 3.0-inch with 1040k-dot resolution. It is touchscreen and tilts up by 80° and down by 45°. Touch AF in video recording lets you enjoy professional-like rack focusing. The Touch AE (Auto Exposure) function lets you set the appropriate exposure by simply tapping the subject displayed on the monitor. Even when you are peering through the LVF, the Touch Pad function keeps the monitor functioning so you can still perform touchscreen functions.

Twin control dials control exposure setting. One is around the Shutter Release button and a second one on the back. Major controls, such as the aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation settings, can be quickly adjusted with the front and rear dials.

The GX7 has a built-in flash has a light intensity that is equivalent to GN5.0 (ISO100), GN7.0 (ISO200), and you can adjust the intensity within a range of ±EV 3 in 1/3 EV steps. It can be synchronized with max.1/320 second shutter speed (max.1/250 second for External Flash).

Four function buttons and five Menu tabs allow you to customize the camera to the way you prefer shooting. Time Lapse allows you to record a series of consequent images at a set time interval that can then be recombined to produce a time lapse video. Stop Motion Animation enables producing a stop motion (stop frame) video in camera with the pictures that are sequentially shot while moving the object by degrees. There are 22 filters available for creative photography. Multiple Exposure lets you take up to four exposures in a single frame and Clear Retouch erases unwanted objects or figures in an image by just tracing over them on the monitor with a fingertip.

The GX7 features built-in Wi-Fi with NFC (Near Field Communication) to allow easy picture sharing and instant photo transfer (the picture is transferred to designated electronic device right after shooting) with a smartphone or tablet. To connect the camera with the smartphone or tablet, just bring them near each other. The free Panasonic Image App allows you to instantly upload and share your images on an SNS (Social Networking Service).

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 is compact, elegant and targets the enthusiasts who desire a configurable and compact high quality interchangeable lens camera with DSLR-level image quality and performance without the bulk and weight associated with a traditional mirrored DSLR.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 is currently the world’s most powerful superzoom camera with a whopping 60x (20-1200mm equiv.) optical zoom. It features 16.1MP resolution (1/2.3-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensor), a 3.0-in. (460k-dot) LCD, Continuous Shooting at 9fps, and Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080/60i. Point-and-Shoot users will choose to leave the camera on Intelligent AUTO mode while beginners and more advanced users have access to all the semi-auto and manual modes with PASM shooting modes and RAW file format.

The 60x optical zoom lens is a Lumix-branded DC VARIO starting at an ultra wide angle 20mm (equiv.), perfect for taking group shots or wide vistas. The tele ends at 1200mm (equiv.) and built-in optical image stabilization effectively helps stabilize the camera at the long focal lengths.

The max. aperture ranges from F2.8 at the wide-angle end and gets progressively smaller to F5.9 at the tele end, not as impressive as the constant max. F2.8 aperture of the FZ200.

Get creative with Creative Control, Photo Style, and 3D Photo Mode. Continuous Shooting is 9fps at full resolution, 5fps/2fps with AF Tracking, 10fps at 3M.

A 3.0-in. 460k-dot fixed LCD and a 0.2-in. EVF (202K dot equiv.) features a 100% field of view.

The DMC-FZ70 shoots Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080/60i in AVCHD. Sound is recorded by a stereo Windshield zoom microphone to suppress wind noise. Mechanical noise caused by zooming during movie recording is also suppressed to improve the clearness. You can select your preferred shooting mode: iA, PASM or Scene mode for movie recording. There is no High-speed / slow motion playback option. You can also take one still image (3.5-megapixel at 16:9) without interrupting video recording.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 is for those who desire an all-in-one powerful camera with a super zoom and full manual control. It’s perfect as a snapshot travel camera and for beginner photography students.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 updates the G3 with some significant improvements that keeps it as one of the best mirrorless DSLRs available.

The Lumix G5 features 16.05MP resolution on a Four Thirds Live MOS sensor. It is compact and light, with all smooth curves. The body feels solidly constructed. The molded handgrip is larger than on the G3 for a more comfortable hold, and the Shutter Release Button is now in a more natural angled position. This is easily one of the most beautiful DSLM (Digital Single Lens Mirrorless).

There is a new Function Lever that functions like a top dial. It can be customized a number of ways: to act as a Zoom Lever when using Power Zoom lenses, thus allowing one handed operation of the G5; to control exposure or aperture in Manual mode; to magnify images in Playback mode; and, to page flip in Menu mode.

A large, bright 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder) integrates an eye sensor to automatically switch the image from the LCD to the LVF when you bring the camera to your eye. Additionally, Eye Sensor AF (Auto Focus) automatically starts focusing when the photographer looks into the LVF. A Diopter Adjustment Dial on the left side of the LVF is easy to set.

The Panasonic G5 has a large 3.0-inch LCD screen with a high 920k-dot resolution for a bright, clear and impressively sharp display. The LCD is of the rotating type so that you can protect it when not in use or turn it all the way to face the front. Touch-control shooting lets photographers focus on the subject by simply touching it on the screen. Pinpoint AF allows extremely precise near–pixel-level focus point setting at the touch of a finger. For those who prefer it, there is also manual focus.

An innovation here allows the touch AF feature to still work even when you are looking through the LVF. Even when there is no image displayed on the LCD (since the eye sensor has switched it to the LVF), you can move your thumb on the LCD (of course, the LCD would be opened wide as in the picture above) to set the AF point.

A practical addition is the new Electronic Level Gauge that is one of the easier implementations I’ve used.

Image quality is preserved at high ISOs: selective noise reduction creates a more naturally-balanced curve without deterioration of the image.

Those upgrading from a point-and-shoot digital camera will love the iA (Intelligent AUTO) and scene modes; the more advanced users has PASM shooting modes for complete control.

The Panasonic G5 uses the SD / SDHC / SDXC memory card.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a compact, elegant and powerful DSLM for those serious about their photography but do not want the bulk and weight of a traditional mirrored DSLR.

Editor’s Note: We have a Hands-on preview of the Lumix G5. Only the Handling & Feel and Photo Gallery sections are currently available. We will complete it with more detail when we get a camera for review.

The new LUMIX LX7 is equipped with a fully redesigned lens, image sensor and image processing engine and continues in the tradition of one of the most popular serious compact digital camera among photo enthusiasts. The LX7 features 10.1MP resolution (on a new 1/1.7-in. MOS sensor), a new 24mm ultra-wide angle LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMILUX lens with 3.8x optical zoom and F1.4 brightness at wide-end and F2.3 at tele-end, optical Image Stabilization to help reduce blurred shots due to camera shake, a new 7.6-cm (3.0-in.) 920k-dot Intelligent LCD screen, and Full HD Movie 1920×1080 60p videos with stereo sound.

The new sensor and Venus Engine allows a high-speed Continuous Shooting at 11 fps in full resolution. Advanced users will appreciate PASM shooting modes, RAW, a hot shoe, built-in Flash, optional Optical View Finder DMW-VF1, optional tilt-shift Live View Finder DMW-LVF2, and optional Wide Conversion Lens. The LX7 is equipped with an Aperture Ring, internal ND Filter, a new Focus Lever, Rear Dial and electronic Level Gauge. The new Aperture Ring makes selecting an aperture very intuitive and convenient. The internal ND filter makes it possible to reduce the light to use slower shutter speed by 3 steps for creative effects.

Want to get creative? The LX7 has 16 filters, plus Time Lapse, Multi Exposure and Panorama.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 promises to be a popular choice among enthusiast photographers desiring a pocketable high performance digital camera that captures high quality images. It is available in Black (and White in some countries), priced at about US $499.99 (CAD $499.99).

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is Panasonic’s top-of-the-line super zoom camera. It features 12.1MP resolution (1/2.3-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensor), a 24x ultra wide-angle optical zoom (25-600mm equiv.), a 3.0-in. (460k-dot) Free-angle LCD, Continuous Shooting at 12fps, and Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080/60p. Point-and-Shoot users will choose to leave the camera on Intelligent AUTO mode while beginners and more advanced users have access to all the semi-auto and manual modes with PASM shooting modes and RAW file format.

The 24x optical zoom lens is a Leica DC starting at an ultra wide angle 25mm (equiv.), perfect for taking group shots or wide vistas. The tele ends at 600mm (equiv.) and built-in optical image stabilization helps stabilize the camera at the long focal lengths.

The impressive feature of the FZ200 is the F2.8 aperture that is available throughout the full range, even at 600 mm, which should help tremendously with being able to use a fast shutter speed — and hence prevent camera shake — at the long focal lengths. The FZ200 also features optical image stabilization to help further reduce camera shake when using slow shutter speeds.

Get creative with Creative Control, Photo Style, and 3D Photo Mode. Continuous Shooting is 12fps at full resolution, 5.5fps/2fps with AF Tracking, 40fps at 5M and 60fps at 2.5M.

A 3.0-in. 460k-dot Free-Angle LCD rotates 180° to the side and tilts 270° up and down, making it very convenient when shooting at low-angle, high-angle and on a tripod. The 0.2-in. EVF features a 100% field of view, 1,312K-dot equivalent with a 60fps frame rate.

The DMC-FZ200 shoots Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080/60p for progressive recording. Sound is recorded by a stereo zoom microphone using the high-quality Dolby® Digital Stereo Creator. Mechanical noise caused by zooming during movie recording is suppressed to improve the clearness. The Auto Wind Cut function blocks out most of the noise from background wind to help make the human voice to stand out. Active Mode suppresses blur in video recording especially at wide angle while walking. You can select your preferred shooting mode: iA, PASM or Scene mode for movie recording. High-speed videos at 120 fps/240 fps allows slow motion playback. You can also take still images (3.5-megapixel at 16:9) without interrupting video recording. An optional Stereo Microphone DMW-MS1 clearly captures distant sounds in superb quality.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 is for those who desire an all-in-one high quality and powerful camera with a super zoom and full manual control. It’s perfect for photography students and as a travel camera.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is a compact and lightweight digital Interchangeable Lens Camera (ILC) with a built-in flash. It basically retains the design of the GF3, and adds a rubberized handgrip for a more comfortable and secure hold.

Like the GF3, the GF5 is squarely targeted to the point-and-shoot crowd who wants to step-up to DSLR image quality and performance but finds the traditional mirrored DSLRs to be more bulky and complex than they want to bother with. The GF5 packages all the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System allowing the same image quality and performance of an entry-level DSLR in a compact, light and user-friendly camera.

The Lumix GF5 features 12.1MP resolution of a FourThirds sensor, a 3.0-in. (920k-dot) Touch Panel LCD, Contonuous Shooting at 4fps, and Full HD Movie 1920 x 1080/60i. Point-and-Shoot users will choose to leave the camera on Intelligent AUTO mode while beginners and more advanced users have access to all the semi-auto and manual modes with PASM shooting modes and RAW file format.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 is compact, elegant and targets those who are thinking of upgrading from their compact point-and-shoot digicams to a DSLR-level camera without the bulk and weight of a traditional DSLR.Continue Reading »

Successor to the GF1. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is the rightful successor to the GF1. Remember that with both the GF2 and GF3, Panasonic decided to reach out to the point-and-shoot crowd with cameras that are easy to use with few external controls. In so doing, it gained a new marketshare but also sorely disappointed the enthusiast photographers who had migrated to the GF1 and was hoping for an upgrade. Not only does the Panasonic GX1 provide that upgrade, but it also rebrands the GF1 to a new product line, with changes that affect what accesories from the GF1 can or cannot be used on the GX1.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 is compact, elegant and targets the enthusiasts who desire a configurable and compact high quality interchangeable lens camera with DSLR-level image quality and performance without the bulk and weight associated with a traditional mirrored DSLR.